Zim leaders should learn to share power

HARARE - There is no other time than now that Zimbabweans, especially politicians, have to sit down and talk because the country is burning.

The only hindrance among us as a people though is that we hate to share power, be it within our political parties or even at national level.

And like I alluded in past instalments, the biggest mistake that President Emmerson Mnangagwa did was to refuse to share power with the rest of Zimbabweans when he took over the reins from former president Robert Mugabe last year.

Instead, the president opted to get it all and only share with his Zanu PF buddies when in actual fact that coup was supported and legitimised by most people outside the ruling party.

Unfortunately, Mnangagwa completely lost the plot because although he had the support and blessing of prominent opposition figures like the late Morgan Tsvangirai and former vice president Joice Mujuru who both attended his inaugural celebrations, he ignored their gesture.

While Tasvangirai and Mujuru embraced Mnangagwa’s presidency, he did not return the goodwill shown and went on to form a government that excluded everyone.

With the whole nation ganging up to oust Mugabe, Mnangagwa failed to read the mood of the populace and what they anticipated from the achieved “freedom”.

Zimbabweans thought a transitional government was in the offing, a set-up which could have adequately prepared for the future.

When that was not done, the people, however, gave the new sheriff the benefit of doubt but the move was soon to backfire as his “old boys” failed to deliver on their own.

The 2018 elections came and went but not without a share of its problems as witnessed by the presidential vote which could only be resolved at the Constitutional Court.

As one of the contesting presidential candidates, I still feel after Mnangagwa was declared winner by the courts, he should have shared power with people outside his party, we are all here to serve the nation.

The talk in corridors and even the media is pointing at the issue of sharing power and even Zanu PF and MDC now openly agree that there has to be some form of “talks” that can lead to the restoration of our economic muscle.

But like I said, these talks should have been made last year when the military delivered us from Mugabe’s dictatorial jaws.

While Mnangagwa and Zanu PF were stubborn to refuse advice from almost everyone on the way forward, they were to face the music because there is no short-cut to the economy.

And the president is now back to the drawing board trying to do the same things he spurned after he assumed power last year.

Everything else is not working, there is no fuel, no forex, no cash in banks and prices are soaring without any control.

And Mnangagwa has to swallow his pride and learn to share power with those who do not agree with him — he has to bring on board professional people, opposition politicians and civic society because the problems he is facing are too many.

As we speak, he has to deal with fuel shortages, steep prices, doctors downing tools with the rest of civil servants threatening to go on industrial strike soon.

Teachers are also planning their own demonstrations while on the ground the MDC has also been demonstrating.

The president needs fresh brains because his team has so far failed him, he has to surround himself with professional people who advise him accordingly.

As of now there is only one way out of this mess — share power!

- Wilson is Democratic Opposition Party president

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Comments (4)

The biggest problem and set back is that our Frredom Fighters chose to call themselves War Vets. The result Freedom Fighting has completely lost its meaning in the history of our country. Although there are still Freedom Fighters within the War Vests. Someone needs to remind our dear Freedom Fighters that them and us the Povo fought for our FREEDOM and nothing else.

gonzo - 7 December 2018

Yes Wilson, while you sound focusing on good course, your article got spoiled by mentioning ED as the one who refused to share power. Whilst there was no reason absolutely for ED to include those outside of ZANU PF on the initial swearing in before election on his cabinet, but after the election he called on the opposition to join with him in the building of the nation Chamisa chose to be a hero of arrogance. He said he dont recognize ED's Presidency. And how do you expect ED to be legitimized by someone he beat on the ballot. You want ED to appear refusing our votes that won him the Presidency just to please chamisa? Remember we are the ones who voted him and he can not play to the wish of opposition, You should have put the blame to chamisa not ED. Its now a biased article.

shunguhadziurayi - 7 December 2018

Sharing power among partners has not been a problem as long as partners are speaking with one voice. Problems come when one partner pulls in a different direction and engages the country's enemies behind the scenes. Problems also come when the other partner calls for sanctions to be imposed. A partner who refuses to recognise the winner of an election is not sincere and as such cannot be trusted with power sharing. A partner who declares that they will make the country ungovernable should not be anywhere near decision-making corridors.

Phyto Andro - 7 December 2018

Zanu pf government is very willing to see the country burn whilist they profit from the shambles. they have no inclination for peace their track record of solving everything is violence, 2002 and 2008 should serve as a reminder . these are conditioned killers with no compunction for the populace.do not be misled the devil has no mercy.it is true constructive dialogue and power sharing is needed, but you cannot mix oil and water

charera - 7 December 2018

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